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Chia
Introduction
Chia (Salvia hispanica) is an annual plant in
the mint family that is recognized by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture as a specialty crop.
It is grown commercially for its seeds, which
are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds also
provide an excellent source of soluble fiber and
antioxidants. Until recently, chia seed production
was only feasible in tropical and subtropical
Chia plants in bloom (left) and seed (right)
latitudes due to the long growing season required
to complete seed development. While chia plants seeks to distribute domestically grown chia to the
grow well in temperate climates, they require equine industry, selling to animal feed retailers,
short days to flower and are normally killed by equine feed manufacturers, and large equine
frost before seeds mature. Researchers at the farms. Growers producing chia in Kentucky
University of Kentucky (UK) have recently would work closely with one of these companies.
been engaged in groundbreaking chia breeding KSG estimates that Kentucky farmers could sell
research. This has resulted in patent pending Kentucky-grown chia from 4,000 to 5,000 acres,
varieties of long daylength flowering lines of chia 2 to 4 years after commercial production begins.
capable of producing seed in the Commonwealth. This could initially impact 40 to 50 farmers, each
After several years of research and field trials, growing 100 acres of chia.
chia is emerging as a viable commercial crop for
Kentucky growers. Market Outlook
Chia is one of the highest sources of omega-3
Marketing fatty acids known. Currently with the high
UKs new early summer lines of chia have been demand for chia relative to supply, chia seed and
licensed to Kentucky Specialty Grains (KSG), a seed products (such as oil) have a much higher
producer-owned company in Franklin, Kentucky, value than canola, soy, or flax.
and to Kentucky Chia, a Louisville-based
company. The KSG licensing agreement allows Human consumption of omega-3 has been linked
them to pursue commercialization of this crop, to many health benefits, including a lower risk
which includes developing optimum production of heart disease, cancer, and possibly stroke,
practices and expanding market as well as improved brain
channels. Their goal is to functions. The health foods
market chia primarily to the and nutraceutical industries
food industry. Kentucky Chia are currently marketing raw

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Chia planting.
chia seeds as a dietary supplement, as well as
incorporating the seeds into snack foods, drink
mixes, and cereals; milled chia is sold for use
as flour. The global market for nutraceuticals is
continuing to grow due to an aging population,
interest from a broader spectrum of consumers
in functional foods that include ingredients like
omega-3 fatty acids, and increasing interest and
use in preventative medicine. This market is
expected to grow based on current nutritional
trends. Increasing awareness of the health
benefits of omega-3 foods has fueled an industry
that is currently unable to meet the high demand.
Chia is a good candidate for organic production; an
added benefit in selling to the health food market.
Currently there is little difference between the
price returns of conventionally produced chia
and organic chia because of the high demand
and low supply. However, as supply increases,
organic chia should bring higher price premiums.
Production Considerations
Crop description and cultivars
Chia is an herbaceous plant with opposite,
serrated leaves approximately 1 to 3 inches long
and 1 to 2 inches wide. Also known as lime-leaf
sage, plants reach a height of a little over 3 feet
at maturity. Clusters of blue to purple to white
flowers develop on spikes forming at the end of
each branch. Seeds are oval and approximately
2mm (0.08 inches) long and 1 mm (0.04 inches)
wide. The shiny seed coat varies in color from
cream to charcoal grey with darker irregular
markings or specks.
The patent-pending varieties developed as a
result of UKs selective breeding program are
available only from KSG and Kentucky Chia.
Lines differ in oil quality, seed color, height, and
maturity.
Site selection and planting
Chia is a low-maintenance crop that prefers
moderately fertile, well-drained soils. While
moisture is necessary for seedling establishment,
this crop is highly intolerant of wet soils. Seeds
are planted into a fully tilled seed bed using a
standard grain drill or planter with small seed
metering capability; some adjustments to this
equipment may be necessary. Because of the
small seed size, precision planting is important
to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Chia is
planted in April or May and harvested in October
in Kentucky.
Cultural requirements, such as plant spacing and
nutritional needs, are still being refined. Chia is
harvested early enough that it may be possible
to double-crop chia with winter wheat, but the
feasibility of this has not been fully researched.
Pest management
Neither insects nor diseases have posed a problem
in Kentucky to date. Weed management is most
critical during establishment; however, weeds
become less of an issue once the canopy closes.
Despite the fact that chia is an aggressive crop,
researchers are not concerned that it could become
invasive or present a problem for subsequently
planted crops; most commonly used herbicides
tested against chia have succeeded in killing it.
Harvest and storage
Chia is mechanically harvested with a standard
combine. Unlike other grains that may be stored
on-farm immediately following harvest, chia is
expected to go directly to the processor/cleaning
plant after harvest.

Chia seed size compared to a dime.
Labor requirements
Labor needs are approximately 2 to 4 hours per
acre for production and harvest. Some additional
time may be needed in early stages of production
for proper drill (planting) setup.
Economic Considerations
Initial investments are similar to row crop
production, including land preparation and
purchase of seed. According to Kentucky
Specialty Grains, production costs for chia are
estimated to be less than per acre production
costs for soybeans, with harvest and marketing
costs similar to those costs for soybean. The
UK Department of Agricultural Economics has
projected no-till soybean variable costs in 2013
as less than or at $400 per acre, with fixed costs
adding approximately $50 per acre. Variable
expenses per acre for chia are expected to be
less than soybeans. Returns to land, capital and
management for chia are projected to be higher
than returns for soybean grown on the same land.
Selected Resources
On the Internet
Chia A Possible New Crop for Kentucky?
in Tobacco Tech (Kentucky Tobacco Research
and Development Center, 2010) 4.26 MB file
http://www.ca.uky.edu/KTRDC/T.T.%20
Aug%202010.pdf
Extending the range of an ancient crop, Salvia
hispanica L. a new 3 source (University of
Kentucky, 2011)
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Agronomy/PLBC/
Research/pubs/Jamboonsri-12.pdf
Improvement of New Oil Crops for Kentucky
(University of Kentucky doctoral dissertation by
Watchareewan Jamboonsri, 2010)
http://uknowledge.uky.edu/gradschool_diss/120/
Kentucky Chia
http://kychia.com/
Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association
http://www.kysmallgrains.org/
Kentucky Specialty Grains
kummer.chris@yahoo.com
In print
Chia: Rediscovering a Forgotten Crop of
the Aztecs. Ricardo Ayerza and Wayne Coates.
2005. University of Arizona Press: Tuscan.
197 pp.

Reviewed by Chris Kummer, President, Kentucky Specialty Grains

and Tim Phillips, Associate Professor, University of Kentucky (Issued 2012) November 2012
Photos by Tim Phillips (bloom, pg. 1 & planting, pg. 2) and Anthony Clark (seed, pg. 1), University of
Kentucky; and Maelor Davies, Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center (seed, pg. 3)
For additional information, contact your local County Extension agent